Richardson’s Future On the Line

From Chronicle columnist Bruce Jenkins in Salt Lake City, before Game 5:

Chris Mullin is a tough man to read, which is good. He doesn’t throw out lazy opinions, tip his hand or reveal much of anything when comes to his future plans for the Warriors. It seems clear, though, that the Warriors are going to need some frontcourt size to be a major player in the Western Conference — and that Jason Richardson might be the player made available on the trade market.

No player should feel especially good when he gets publicly and repeatedly criticized by coach Don Nelson. Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy found that out in a big way. Nelson has been gravely disappointed with several of Richardson’s playoff performances, particularly in the fateful Game 4 of the Utah series in Oakland. I know Nelson loves Richardson’s desire and loyalty the organization, but he just might be softening the blow for fans if a trade does come down.

That’s why tonight is an especially big game for Richardson. If he were to score 30 points and play respectable defense, then keep it going as long as the Warriors last, it might be a sign of better things to come. Even at 27, a man is capable of maturing and correcting the weaknesses in his game. And if the Warriors already have private plans to offer him in trade, a solid performance will only make him more attractive.

Because Richardson makes the most money at a position where the Warriors have depth, he’s an obvious candidate to be dealt. Baron Davis isn’t going anywhere, Matt Barnes’ availability would be as a free agent, and both Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis are due to be rewarded with new contracts. Whether the Warriors want to keep him or trade him, Richardson needs tonight’s game mostly for himself. He was disgusted after Game 4. Couldn’t believe how badly he’d played. More than anyone, he’s the guy to watch tonight.

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This is looking like 3-Dot Lounge material in the Saturday Chronicle, but here’s a quick thumbs-down to the NBA for suspending Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw, each for one game, in the wake of the fourth-quarter scuffle between the Suns and Spurs last night. Strictly speaking, they did violate the rule stating players can’t leave the bench during an altercation. On the real side, though, they did nothing. Steve Nash went down, the victim of a cheap shot from Robert Horry, and his teammates reacted. Wouldn’t you? They didn’t spill into the fray with fists flying, they merely showed that nobody was going to hurt their star player — hell, the entire Phoenix franchise — without some kind of reaction. It’s brutal. Completely ruins Game 5. And, incidentally, it makes Baron Davis even more fortunate than before. He threw an elbow to the head of Derek Fisher and will be right back on the court tonight.